Bob Westerdale

Vargas beat former World champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr in June, and provides the Doncaster man’s first action in the UK since beating Tomoki Kameda in Texas. McDonnell, 30 believes a good show against Vargas can land a unification bout in the summer.

McDonnell aims to dominate at 118lbs before a potential move to super-bantamweight.

“It’s a massive chance for Vargas” said McDonnell.

“It means everything to him and he’s going to bring the fight to me, but I am focused, feeling sharp and looking to make a statement. I’ve been training for lots of styles so it doesn’t bother me.

“I’m ready to put on a show.

“I was looking to move up after the first Kameda fight but I am making Bantamweight well so if the big fights keep coming at bantamweight I will stay there, it just depends on what options there are out there for me.”